What OSHC is, and why you have it
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is the health insurance international students hold instead of Medicare. Keeping adequate cover for your whole stay is a standard student visa condition, so don't let your policy lapse, including over semester breaks. Main providers include Bupa, Medibank/ahm, Allianz Care, nib and CBHS; coverage details vary by policy, so check your own.
Save two things from your policy now: your membership number, and your provider's 24/7 helpline (many offer interpreter support).
What OSHC covers
A standard OSHC policy covers the essentials. Dental, optical and physio usually need extra cover. Always check your own policy:
| Service | OSHC (typical) | What you pay |
|---|---|---|
| GP visit | Rebate up to a set fee | Little or nothing if direct billed, else a gap |
| Public hospital care | Covered | Usually $0 as an OSHC patient |
| Emergency ambulance | Covered (most policies) | Check your policy |
| Blood tests & imaging | Often part-covered | May have a gap |
| Prescription medicines | Limited, with a per-item cap | Pay above the cap |
| Dental, optical, physio | Not unless you buy extras | Pay privately |
How claiming works
- Pay then claim: you pay the clinic and claim the rebate back through your insurer's app, website or office. Keep the receipt.
- Direct billing: some clinics bill your OSHC provider directly, so you pay little or nothing on the spot. Ask 'Do you direct bill my OSHC?' when booking.
Before any non-routine treatment, check whether it's covered and what the gap is. Some services have waiting periods or annual limits, and a few aren't covered at all.
Seeing a GP as a student
The GP is still your first stop for most health issues. Many OSHC policies rebate up to the standard GP fee, so a visit at a direct-billing or lower-cost clinic may cost you little or nothing; elsewhere you'll pay a gap. Look for clinics near campus that direct bill student cover, and book a GP who speaks your language so nothing gets lost in translation.
Emergencies
- Life-threatening emergency: call 000 for an ambulance, or go to a hospital Emergency Department.
- Urgent but not life-threatening: see a GP who has same-day slots, or use an after-hours doctor service.
- Call your OSHC provider's 24/7 helpline. Many offer advice and interpreter support.
Find a doctor who speaks your language
On HaoDoc, filter by city, suburb and language (Mandarin/Cantonese), and look for clinics that bulk bill or direct bill student cover to keep costs down.
Browse Chinese-speaking doctorsQuestions students ask most
Do I have to have OSHC as a student?
Generally yes. Holding adequate health cover (usually OSHC) for the duration of your stay is a standard student visa condition. Keep your policy active for the whole visa period, including any breaks.
What does OSHC cover?
OSHC typically covers GP visits, public hospital care, emergency ambulance and some pathology and imaging, plus limited prescription medicines. It generally does NOT cover most dental, optical or physiotherapy unless you buy extra (OSHC 'extras').
How do I claim, do I pay first?
Often yes: you pay the clinic, then claim the rebate back from your insurer via their app, website or office. Some clinics 'direct bill' your OSHC provider so you pay little or nothing on the spot, ask when booking.
How much does seeing a GP cost on OSHC?
Many policies rebate up to the standard GP fee, so a visit at a direct-billing or lower-cost clinic may cost you little or nothing; at others you pay a gap. Always check your policy's rebate and any gap before booking.
What do I do in a medical emergency?
Call 000 for an ambulance or go to a hospital Emergency Department. Most OSHC providers also run a 24/7 member helpline (often with interpreter support). Save the number from your policy.
How do I find a doctor who speaks Chinese?
On HaoDoc, filter by city, suburb and language (Mandarin/Cantonese). To minimise out-of-pocket cost, also look for clinics that bulk bill or direct bill student cover.
This article is general information, not medical or insurance advice. OSHC coverage, rebates and conditions vary by provider and policy. Always confirm details with your insurer. Information is from public sources, for reference only.